Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Aberdyfi Community Council held at the Literary Institute on Monday 17th March 2025
Present: Cllr Dewi Owen – Chair
Councillors:
Cllr Sara Bradbury-Willis
Cllr Mark Dunton
Cllr Roman Hackelsberger
Cllr Ian Hewins
Cllr Brian Kelly
Cllr Sadie Porter
Cllr Megan Reynolds
Cllr Dave Williams
1 member of the public was present
AGENDA ITEM 1 – To receive and accept apologies
CL/182/17.03.25
Apologies received and accepted from Cllr O’Neill
AGENDA ITEM 2 – Chair announcements
CL/183/17.03.25
The Chair welcomed everyone.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – Declaration of financial, personal or prejudicial interest
CL/184/17.03.25
No declarations were received
AGENDA ITEM 4 – To receive and confirm minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting on 17thFebruary 2025
CL/185/17.03.25
The minutes of the ordinary council meeting on 17th February 2025 were received and approved.
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr Bradbury-Willis
AGENDA ITEM 5 – Matters arising
CL/186/17.03.25
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M/95/(21.10.24) Re-printing of walking guide
The Clerk reported that 2,000 copies have been delivered and noted that they now need to be distributed to businesses in the village. Cllr Owen noted that the Tourist Information Centre will be opening on 29th March and they have already said they will have some copies.
Action: Clerk to distribute copies to businesses
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M/99/(21.10.24) Digital noticeboard
The Chair reported that he is still waiting for a response from the senior official of
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Gwynedd Council regarding permission. It was agreed that the clerk should contact Bryn Hughes at Gwynedd Council, who is responsible for toilets, and ask who we should request permission from.
Action: Clerk to contact Bryn Hughes.
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M/156/(20.01.25) Aberdyfi Kite Festival
The clerk reported that she has another meeting with Red Dragon Kites and the Beach Officer for Gwynedd Council on Friday 21st March to finalise area to be used and address any concerns. The rope and stakes have been purchased and Red Dragon Kites will make and attach bunting to the rope to increase visibility. The Clerk has not heard back from the Insurance company yet.
Action: Clerk to attend meeting and to confirm cover with insurance company
M/158/(20.01.25) VE Celebrations on 8th May
Cllr Owen suggested that some music be sought for the celebrations. The Clerk informed the council that David Richardson is willing to play the church bells for a short while and it was agreed that this would be welcome and some other type of music would be a good addition. It was agreed for Cllr Reynolds to speak to Totaleigh Music to see if they could provide some additional music.
Action: Clerk to confirm church bells with Mr. Richardson
Action: Cllr Reynolds to contact Totaleigh Music.
Action: Clerk to contact harbourmaster about using the wharf gardens
AGENDA ITEM 6 – To receive and approve the treasurer’s report
CL/187/17.03.25
It was resolved to receive and approve the Treasurer’s report
Proposed: Cllr Hackelsberger Seconded: Cllr Kelly
Cllr Kelly informed the Council that he would not be able to take on the role of signatory as previouslyanticipated. Cllr Porter volunteered to become a signatory.
Action: Clerk to arrange for signatories to be added to the bank account
AGENDA ITEM 7 – To receive a report from the Gwynedd Council representative
CL/188/17.03.25
Cllr Owen reported that there was a full meeting of Gwynedd Council last week and it was agreed at that meeting that council tax would rise by 8.6%. However, the deficit isn’t as great as previously feared, due to extra money from the Welsh Government, with the deficit now at £8 million instead of the previous £12 million envisaged. Much of this deficit is due to council’s statutory responsibility to house those who are homeless and this has been exacerbated by new regulations which have been introduced for landlords, so many are now selling their properties instead of letting them, meaning the number of homeless has risen.
Gwynedd Council elections are next year and the impact of the new boundary commission areas will be felt then, as Gwynedd will be combined with another area and will extend most of the way to Wrexham, down to Aberdyfi and up to Bangor. Cllr Owen asked how this will affect Gwynedd Council but no-one was able to give
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him an answer. Cllr Owen asked the independent auditor of Gwynedd Council if the Barnet formula is changed, how it will affect Gwynedd and he was told those figures were not available. Cllr Owen asked him to look into this. Cllr Owen informed the Council that all the figures talked about at this meeting are on the Gwynedd Council website under the 6th March meeting minutes.
Gwynedd Council reported it has seen more houses for sale as a result of Article 4 but the situation will be reviewed at the end of the year to guage the initial effects of the introduction of Article 4.
Cllr Owen reported that he has received a resignation from Cllr Tyrrell. He noted that Cllr Tyrell will be greatly missed and wished him well in his future endeavours. It was asked when the next Community Council elections are and the Clerk reported that she hasn’t been able to find any definitive date on the internet so will ask the Returning Officer when she informs them of Cllr Tyrrell’s resignation.
Cllr Owen has been made aware of potential plans to build 41 houses on Cae Rhianfa in Tywyn. He noted that while it is not in Aberdyfi, it is concerning as the field is the playing field for the high school. He will keep up to date with the plans and inform the council of any developments.
AGENDA ITEM 8 – To receive and consider planning applications
CL/189/17.03.25
NP5/50/150A Talarfor, Penrhos, Aberdyfi LL35 0NR
Single storey extension
No objections raised
NP5/50/L451 Killiegray, Hopeland Road, Aberdyfi LL35 0NH
Extensions and alterations
No objections raised
AGENDA ITEM 9 – To consider and adopt the One Voice Wales model Local Resolution Protocol
CL/190/17.03.25
It was resolved to adopt the One Voice Wales model Local Resolution Protocol without any changes
Proposed: Cllr Hackelsberger Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 10 – To consider and adopt a Volunteer policy
CL/191/17.03.25
It was resolved to adopt the policy without any changes
Proposed: Cllr Williams Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 11 – To consider and adopt an Accident Reporting policy
CL/192/17.03.25
It was resolved to adopt the policy without any changes
Proposed: Cllr Kelly Seconded: Cllr Williams
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AGENDA ITEM 12 – To consider and adopt a Health and Safety Policy
CL/193/17.03.25
The Council resolved to adopt the policy without any changes
Proposed: Cllr Hackelsberger Seconded: Cllr Kelly
AGENDA ITEM 13 – To consider and approve purchase of high visibility vests
CL/194/17.03.25
A report was presented by the Clerk and Cllr Kelly informed the council that he was in possession of approximately 10 waistcoats that he was willing to donate to the council. It was agreed to check how many are available and if required, purchase some plain ones to make the number up to 20.
Proposed: Cllr Owen Seconded: Cllr Bradbury-Willis
Action: Clerk to liaise with Cllr Kelly and purchase further waistcoats if required
AGENDA ITEM 14 – To receive a report from the clerk
CL/195/17.03.25
The clerk reported on the following items:
* The new Pay & Display machine for the Neuadd Dyfi car park has been delivered and it is hoped it will be installed soon.
* The toilets are on schedule to be finished by the end of the month. The clerk reported that there has been instances of people going to the toilet in various public places around the village, even in the middle of the day, because no toilets were open close by. The harbourmaster has challenged a few people and has cleaned up after them. The clerk reported that the pubs are not open until 1200, so in the mornings, the only toilets open are the ones by the Neuadd Dyfi. Gwynedd Council told the clerk that they have already overspent on the budget for the toilets so there is no money for providing portaloos. The clerk contacted the environmental health department at Gwynedd Council and asked if they could confirm the legality of cafes being open when no public toilets are open close by, eg. currently in the mornings and on Christmas and Boxing Day. They agreed to look into this.
* The clerk has received several complaints about the dog poo bins at Pont y Brics not being emptied, overflowing with dog poo bags being left on the ground beside them. The clerk took some photos and sent them to Gwynedd Council and was told later that day that they had been emptied the same day.
* One of the retaining walls in the allotments needs some new supporting posts putting in place and one the allotment-holders has offered to do the work if the council pays for the posts, approximately £70. It has been agreed for him to do the work and the council will pay for the posts.
* The clerk has received some data from Andrew Gregson, senior traffic engineer at Gwynedd Council, for the speed of vehicles between the 20mph speed limit at the Golf-club end of the village and the traffic lights by the chemist. The average speed of vehicles between Sept 2023 and Feb 2025 was 29.6 miles per hour. Mr. Gregson has sent this data to GoSafe and they have now added this area onto their watch-list.
* The clerk has a meeting with the police Thursday 20th March for a pre-summer meeting.
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* The clerk has been in contact with the team who looks after the Time & Tide Bell project and is liaising with them and the harbourmaster to fix the grate above the bell.
* The clerk is almost ready to submit the grant application to the National Lottery for the playground project but is having to obtain up-to-date quotes to be included, as the previous ones are all out of date. She has requested quotes from previous interested companies. She has also had to register and ask for tenders on Sell2Wales, which yielded a new company interested in tendering. The clerk met with them last week and they will provide a design and quote asap. The clerk now needs to populate the application form and gather all the relevant documents and she will be in a position to submit the application as soon as three current quotes have been received.
* The clerk reminded everyone that the car park planting working party is on Saturday at 10.30am and informed the Council that there is an open day at the Post Office building 2pm-4pm the same day, as this has been completed and is now in community ownership.
The Chair proposed that a Clerk’s report be included in every agenda going forward and it was agreed unanimously.
Action: Clerk to include a Clerk’s report in each Agenda going forward
AGENDA ITEM 15 – To discuss transport issues in the local area
CL/196/17.03.25
Cllr Bradbury-Willis reported that she had been approached by residents who are unable to walk down the hill and who do not drive, so are effectively stuck in their homes. They asked whether some form of community transport might be possible. The clerk reported that she knows that the Carers Trust in North Wales is currently advertising for a Community Transport Liaison Officer and she has been told that one of their priorities will be to establish community transport in this area.
Action: Clerk to follow progress of community transport provision and report to the council
AGENDA ITEM 16 – Correspondence which requires a response from the Council
CL/197/17.03.25
* Parc Eryri – consultation on draft supplementary planning guidance on Article 4
It was agreed that the clerk should respond on behalf of the council with the p[oint noted form previous meetings.
Action: Clerk to respond to consultation
AGENDA ITEM 17 – To note correspondence not requiring a decision from the Community Council which has already been circulated to Councillors
CL/198/17.03.25
* Campaign for PCSOs to receive service medals
* One Voice wales – Digital Guidance for councils
* Gwynedd Council – Public consultation on Supplementary Planning Guidance
* Independent Renumeration Panel for Wales annual report 2025 – 2026
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* Senedd report into the role, governance and accountability of community and town council sector
* Senedd Reform – summary of responses on diversity and inclusion consultation
* One Voice Wales – training dates for March – June
* One Voice Wales – final determination of Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru
* One Voice Wales – Child poverty innovation and supporting communities grant fund
AGENDA ITEM 18– Items for consideration at future meetings
CL/199/17.02.25
* Community Action Plan
AGENDA ITEM 19 – Items for release / Rushlight / Website / Facebook
CL/200/17.03.25
* Clwb Sgwrsio 3rd March
* Kite festival 5th/6th July
* Food Festival 17th August
* Walking Guide
* new P&D machine
* VE Day celebrations
* Community Transport
AGENDA ITEM 20 – Date of next meeting
CL/201/17.03.25
Monday 14th April 2025, as Easter Monday is the 21st April
It was agreed to move the May meeting to Tuesday 13th May
There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 8.25pm
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